Operation Red Nose looks for New Year’s Eve volunteers

Operation Red Nose Prince George is asking people to ring in 2018 with them as a volunteer on New Year’s Eve.

“As we prepare for our final weekend of 2017, we only have 20 volunteer teams lined up for New Year’s Eve,” said Andrea Johnson, Operation Red Nose spokesperson. “We’d love to have at least double that — 20 more teams of three — to keep up with the huge demand we expect from party-goers.”

In years previously, Operation Red Nose volunteers have delivered as many as 273 safe rides home in 2010 with the help of 35 road teams. In 2016, 24 teams provided 173 safe rides home.

Johnson adds demand for rides on New Year’s Eve by the designated driving service is the highest between 12:30 a.m. – 3 a.m. The phone lines are kept open until 4 a.m.

Those who are interested in volunteering on New Year’s Eve must submit their application online at www.ornpg.ca, print it off and drop it off at the Prince George RCMP detachment downtown by this Friday, Dec. 22 to ensure their Criminal Record Check/application is approved on time.

Volunteers must be 19 years old and have a valid driver’s license.

Operation Red Nose Prince George is a volunteer-based designated driving service available by donation during the holiday season that not only takes party-goers home, but their vehicle too. It’s organized by the Rotary Club of Prince George – Nechako, in partnership with ICBC and the Prince George RCMP.